Click here to open feedback window. Contribution to an evaluation of tree species using the new CITES Listing Criteria 154 Araucaria araucana  Araucariaceae araucaria, gúillo, monkey puzzle, pehuén, pino araucana, pino chileno, piñonero Distribution Argentina (Neuquén), Chile. Known widely as the Monkey Puzzle tree, this species ranges from the Coastal Cordillera of Chile to the Andes in Argentina. Habitat A tree of temperate, mixed, moist forest, occurring between 600 and 1700m. Population status and trends The populations on the coast are restricted and highly threatened. Andean populations are severely fragmented. Chile holds the largest populations, some of which are being illegally felled in and outside national park boundaries. A rough estimate in 1981 suggested that 600,000 acres of Araucaria forest remain in Chile, yielding a possible 1215 million ft³. Most of these trees are scattered or in inaccessible places. Role of species in the ecosystem Threats Clear felling/ logging of the habitat, commercial use and burning are the main theats to this species. Utilisation The seed is an important source of nutrition in rural communities. The timber has commercial value and is used in construction work, interior finishes and furniture, also for making pulp. Trees are planted worldwide for ornamental purposes. Trade According to CITES statistics, Chile is the only country of export for the timber of Araucaria araucana exporting 7043m³ in 1990, mainly to Italy; 1873m³ in 1991 to Argentina, Belgium, Italy, USA and Uruguay; and 2347m³ in 1992 to Argentina, Spain and the USA. None of these imports are reported by the corresponding importing countries. The exports from Chile were in contravention to the Convention since the species is, for Chile, included in Appendix I.  As well as trade in timber of this species, trade in live, artificially propagated plants and seed is reported in CITES annual reports. The live plants are mainly produced in European nurseries and exported from Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. IUCN Conservation category VU A1cd according to the SSC Conifer Specialist Group Conservation measures The Chilean populations are listed in CITES Appendix I and the Argentinian in Appendix II. Populations occur within both Chilean and Argentinian National Parks and some private reserves. References Benoit, C. & L. Ivan (eds.). 1989. Libro rojo de la flora terrestre de Chile. Santiago: Impresora Creces Ltd. 157 pp. Chebez, Juan Carlos. 1994. Los que se van. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Albatros. 604pp. González Cangas, Mauro. 1996. Completed data collection forms for tree species of Chile. The Nature Conservancy. 1996. Natural Heritage Central Database. (Status and distribution data on Latin American plants, developed in collaboration with Latin American Conservation Data Centers and Missouri Botanical Garden.).